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Ethiopia--- SnapSHot. General Geographic Features 27 th largest country in the world Landlocked : No direct access to oceans Regional Differences Deserts in the East Tropical Rainforest in South Highlands in North and South West Most cities are located over 1,000 KM above sea level.
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General Geographic Features • 27th largest country in the world • Landlocked: No direct access to oceans • Regional Differences • Deserts in the East • Tropical Rainforest in South • Highlands in North and South West • Most cities are located over 1,000 KM above sea level Geography
Ethiopia’s Population • Over 93 million people live in Ethiopia • Largest Cities • Addis Ababa (National Capital): 3,040,740 • Dire Dawa: 273, 601 • Mek’ele: 271,562 • Adama: 262, 884 • Gondar: 262,884 Geography
Main Geographical Features • Ethiopian Highlands • Great Rift Valley (Cuts the Highlands in ½) • Lake Tana (Source of the Blue Nile) • Mount Entonto • Wildlife • Climate and elevation have allowed for the creation of many species of animals that are unique to Ethiopia. • Ethiopia is home to 856 different species of birds! Geography
Ancient History • Scientist believe that some of the earliest records of human life occurred within present day Ethiopia • Aksum: One of the most powerful empires in the world during the 3rd and 4th Century (200-300 AD) • No African Scramble for Ethiopia!! • Menelik II (1889-1913) Emperor • Created present day boundaries for Ethiopia (Independence) • Resisted Italian forces in 1896 • Created Addis Ababa • HaileSelassie I (1930-1974) • Time Magazines Man of Year in 1935 • Teamed w/ GB to remove Italy for good in 1941 (part of WWII) • Ruled until the people of Ethiopia got rid of him because of the World Oil Shortage in 1973-1974 History
Communist Ethiopia • MengistuHailemariam: Leader of the Derg Party • 500,000 Ethiopians were killed by the Derg Party • End of Communist Party in Ethiopia • Drought: Killed more than 1 million people during the 1980s….led to mass protest of communist government by Ethiopians. • 1991: USSR (Gorbachev) decided to cut aid to Ethiopia and other communist countries (Glasnost) • Deng Party was overthrow…Mengistu found guilty of genocide in 2006 • Modern History • Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) gained control of country by 1994. History
Government Structure: Federal Parliamentary Republic • Executive Branch: Headed by Prime Minister • Legislative Branch: Controlled by 2 Chambers and Prime Minister • Judicial Branch: Separate from government • Reality • Ethiopia’s government is a authoritarian (one party in control) • Multiple Elections have been rigged in 2000, 2005, and 2010 • Modern Leaders • MelesZenawi (1994-2012) • Prime Minister • HailemariamDesalegn (2012-pres) • New Prime Minister Modern Government
Ethnic Diversity • Over 80 different ethnic groups live in Ethiopia • Ethiopia is divided into 9 ethnically based states • Oromo and Amhara are the two largest groups • Religious Diversity • Christianity (62%) and Islam (33%) are the two largest religions in Ethiopia • Spiritual Homeland for Rastafarian Movement: Bob Marley and Reggae Music Culture
Economics • Ethiopia’s GDP is 41.9 billion dollars (value of goods and services) • During the mid 2000’s Ethiopia was one of the fastest growing economies in the world. • Today the GDP per capita is still very low • Agriculture • Makes up 40% of Ethiopia’s GDPand 80% of all Ethiopian exports • Main Crops: Coffee, beans, oilseed, cereal, potatoes • Stats: #1 in African Coffee Exports and #10 in worldwide livestock exports • Education • Literacy Rate is around 30% (pretty good for Africa) • 6 years elementary school, 6 years of secondary Culture
Poverty • Both urban and rural areas have issues with poverty • 80% of urban water is clean while only 11% of rural water is clean. • Around 20% of Ethiopia’s population live on less than 1 dollar a day. • 75% of rural Ethiopians share sleeping quarters with livestock • 50% of urban residents live in poorly constructed slums • Conclusion • Life is difficult for urban and rural living Ethiopians • More and more Ethiopians move to cities each year Culture
Food • WAT: Thick meat stews • Flatbreads are used as utensils….scoop up food, eat with hands. • Very little pork and/or shellfish due to religious beliefs • Sports • Long Distance Running is the most popular sport…multiple world record holders and gold medalist • Soccer is the 2nd most popular sport. Ethiopia just missed qualifiying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup • Miscellaneous Culture Oddities • Freedom of Speech is limited • Marriage by Abduction is a popular practice in rural areas • Medical care is somewhat lacking…only 2.6 doctors for every 100,000 people Culture
HaileGebrselassic • 1996 and 2000 Gold Medalist in 10,000 • 27 world records during his career • KenenisaBakele • 2004 and 2008 Gold Medalist in 10,000 and 5,000 • Just won the 2014 Paris Marathon • Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Ali Al Amoudi • Worth 12.3 billion dollars, richest man in Ethiopia • Made money in oil, construction, and real estate • Marcus Samuelsson • Celebrity Chef • HibretFekadu • Ethiopian Model Famous Ethiopians
Modern Issues • Voter Fraud in 2010 • Back to back years of little rain (2010, 2011) • 200 people died in government protests in 2005 • Deforestation: Ethiopia’s forests are getting smaller at an alarming rate • AIDS and Women’s Health concerns • Current Events • Debates about Nile River Dam with Egypt • Anti-Gay Protests in Addis Ababa • Ethiopian dominance in international running events Current Events and Issues